The Chief of Clan Donnachaidh

Alexander Gilbert Haldane Robertson of Struan was born in 1938. He was
the youngest of four children, and only son, of Langton George Duncan
Haldane Robertson of Struan and his wife, Laurie. He succeeded his
father as chief of Clan Donnachaidh in 1983.

Struan studied electrical engineering at Edinburgh University (1957-61)
and then, having become interested in the application of mathematical
models to management, took a postgraduate course in Operational Research
at the London School of Economics (1963-64). After a career in the Civil
Service (with an Operational Research group in the Department of Health
and Social Security), he opted for a modern version of the traditional
activity of his forbears, farming. He bought a small fruit farm in the
southeast of England in 1980 and has been growing apples and grading
fruit for himself and neighbouring farmers ever since.

Struan married in 1965 Bridget Kenyon, younger daughter of Ronald and
Celia Kenyon. He has one son and two daughters and three grandchildren.
His son, Alasdair Gilbert Robertson of Drumachuine, younger of Struan,
is his heir.

Struan and his family are members of, and actively support, the Clan
Donnachaidh Society. The annual general meeting of the Society and the
associated weekend of social activities organized by the Society in clan
country each year provide a regular opportunity for clanspeople to meet
with him and his family. Struan has visited branches of the Clan Society
in Canada and the United States. He was present at an international
gathering of clans in Nova Scotia in 1987 and has attended highland
games, including the Grandfather Mountain Games, in the USA. Struan has
also visited branches of the Clan Society in Australia and participated
in Scottish Australian Heritage weeks. He was present at the unveiling
of a cairn at Robertson Point on the shores of Sydney Harbour during the
bi-centennial celebrations of 1988.

Struan is a member of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. His
livery colours are gules (red) and argent (silver) and his coat-of-arms
comprises the Shield (gules) emblazoned with three wolves’ heads
(argent); the crest – a dexter hand holding up an imperial crown;
supporters – on the dexter side, a serpent (vert) and on the sinister, a
dove (argent) wearing a baronial cap-of-maintenance (azure); on a
compartment below the Shield – which is embellished with bracken (the
plant badge of the clan) – a monstrous man chained; and scrolls bearing
the Chief’s motto virtutis gloria merces (glory is the reward of valour)
and the war-cry of the clan garg’n uair dhuisgear (fierce when roused).